County approves budget with little changes

Commissioners vote not to fund Crisis Ministry

Published: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 9:58 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 9:58 p.m.

Davidson County residents will not pay higher property taxes next fiscal year.

The Davidson County Board of Commissioners approved the recommended Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget Tuesday night, which maintains the current property tax rate at 54 cents per $100 of valuation.

The budget, which projects about $122.7 million in expenses, also recommends increasing sewer rates about 7 percent. That increase is directly tied to an identical increase being imposed by the county's wastewater treatment provider, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utility Commission, said Assistant Davidson County Manager Zeb Hanner.

Commissioners approved the budget with little discussion on Tuesday, and they made little changes. The commissioners held a public hearing last month and a budget workshop last week.

The board did vote to eliminate a nearly $16,000 allocation to the Piedmont Triad Partnership. The move comes after state leaders recently announced a plan to reorganize North Carolina's job recruiting efforts, an initiative that includes the possible dissolution of regional economic development partnerships.

Earlier this month, commissioners also voted to grant the Lexington and Thomasville chambers of commerce an additional $24,000 to continue the "Buy Local" initiative and other small business economic development activities.

Ambulance and inspection fees will also rise slightly next fiscal year, according to the budget.

In addition, the county will provide a 1.5 percent increase for employee salaries. The county provided a 2 percent cost-of-living increase in the FY 2012-13 budget after not providing an increase for three years. However, at mid-year, that raise was negated by a change in the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax rate implemented by the federal government.

The budget includes the elimination of five positions for integrated solid waste as part of an effort to consolidate the department.

Additionally, the budget increases funding to the county's three school systems and Davidson County Community College by about 1.75 percent, or nearly $632,000 next year.

The county's total tax base is expected to come in at about $12,941,901,509. That tax base, at the recommended tax rate and average collection rate, would yield revenue in the amount of $67,614,964, which is an increase of about $999,234 over the FY 2012-13 budget, according to the budget.

Bed Bug request fails, again

Commissioners voted 4-3 on Tuesday to not make a one-time allocation to Crisis Ministry of Davidson County to help fight a bed bug infestation at the agency's shelter.

Gayle Whitehead, director of Crisis Ministry, originally asked commissioners for $70,000 to pay for new beds and mattresses at the shelter. On Tuesday, Whitehead said she only needs about $26,800 to pay for the beds and mattresses and asked commissioners for a $33,000 appropriation.

Government funding for the agency has been a divisive issue amongst the board, in the community and on social media. Some elected officials and citizens say it's not the government's role to allocate money to private groups while others say it's a health issue that needs addressing and that it's simply the right thing to do.

Last week, the board voted 3-3, a failing vote, to make a one-time allocation of $10,000 to Crisis Ministry. On Monday, Lexington City Council did not vote on the issue after Whitehead asked for $30,000 to help fight the bed bugs.

Six people, including Whitehead, spoke in favor of the commissioners appropriating the money on Tuesday night during a public comment session, including Crisis Ministry volunteer Donnie Tysinger. One person spoke against appropriating the money.

"If we were up here tonight and looking to it, I'd have to ask you the age-old question, 'How do you think Jesus would vote tonight?'" Tysinger asked commissioners.